Method of coating gasometers



Patented May '24, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT MEZGER, 0F STUTTGART, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR TO THE FIRM: PAUL LECHLEB, OF STUTTGART, GERMANY. 7

METHOD OI COATING GASOMETERS.

No Drawing. Application filed my 10, 1925, Serial no. 42341, and in Germany September '11, 1922'.

My invention refers to an anti-corrosive adapted for use as a protective coating for gasometers and :to the method of applying same. a

As is well known to thoseskilled in the art the paint covering the gasometers is subjected to destruction by the water sealing the asometer and by certain constituents disso vedin this water. It is further known that this destructive action can be counteracted by covering the surface of the water seal with mineral oil having a high flash point. The gasometer, on beingvlowered into the water and on rising therein, will take' up some of the mineral oil which forms thereon a thin protective coating stance of I have now a'scertained'that a solution of a bituminous substance H1 an Oll WlllCh does not oxidize and which does not readily evap- 1 orate, for instance a solution of petroleum pitch mineral oil, has superior protect ve properties which render a covering of paint unnecessary, whereby a great saving in material and expense is obtained.

I have found that a solution of at least 5 parts by weight of a neutral bituminous substance in 'not more than 95 parts by weight of an oil having a high flash point, being absolutel neutral and showing no tendency to split off acids and gases, forms an excellent protection against the rusting of metals, allowing to obtain a permanent non-drying coating in consequence of the particular property of the bituminous subretaining the oil after the manner of a sponge.

Thus while a thin film of said oil alone on the metal would gradually practically all run off, the bituminous substance acts to hold a thin film of the oil'upon the vertical iron surface of the gasometer bell for a long period of time.

Preferably about 20 parts of molten petroleum. pitch are added with continuous stirring 80 parts mineral oil.

The. gasometers are painted or sprayed with the protectivesolution both inside and outside. I; may also cover the surface of the sealing water with a layer of the same solution. The protective solution forms a fine mat' coating on the gasometer which is automatically renewed when the gasometer is lowered into the water or raised therein, by contacting with the supernatant oil solution. t

This coating will never dry inasmuch as the bituminous substance retains the oil upon the iron surface after the manner of a sponge. The coating is therefore free to adapt itself to all physical changes of the material so that there is no danger of the coating cracking and allowing moisture and air to attack the metal. v

I wish it to be understood that I do not desire be. limited to the exact substances, properties and operations above described,

for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

- I claim The method of protecting -bells -of gasometers against corrosion, comprising applying to the surface to be protected a coating consisting of a solution of a neutral bituminous substance in an oil havin a highllash pomt and which does not drydiy bildation and which is substantiallynon-volatile, and

providing a body of the same solution in contact with the gas holder bell,- whereby onbeing moved it will take up some-of the solutlon.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

ROBERT MEZGER- 

